Population
Service age groups
About this topic
Service age groups divide the population into broad life-stage bands such as children, young adults, working-age adults, and older people. The groupings are designed to reflect typical demand for age-based services and facilities rather than exact five-year cohorts.
This view is useful for planning childcare, schools, recreation, aged services, and other community infrastructure. It works best alongside five year age groups, household type, and dwelling data, which add more detail about who is living in an area and how needs may change over time.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived grouping rather than a direct Census question, so the age bands are planning-oriented summaries built from standard age data.
- Percentages relate to the total population; use five year age groups when exact cohort detail matters.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Hawthorndene, accounting for 20.7% (700 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 76 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Hawthorndene - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Hawthorndene in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hawthorndene, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
179
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
179
5.3%
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
340
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
340
10.0%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
331
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
331
9.8%
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
245
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
245
7.2%
-1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
328
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
328
9.7%
+1.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
700
% of total
20.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
700
20.7%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
465
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
465
13.7%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
378
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
378
11.2%
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
404
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
404
11.9%
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
48
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
48
1.4%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-22
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+15
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+44
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-45
-1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+71
+1.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+4
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-3
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+76
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Hawthorndene. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 179 | 5.3% | 4.9% | 201 | 6.1% | 5.3% | -22 | -0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 340 | 10.0% | 8.4% | 325 | 9.9% | 8.6% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 331 | 9.8% | 7.7% | 287 | 8.7% | 7.5% | +44 | +1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 245 | 7.2% | 8.6% | 290 | 8.8% | 9.1% | -45 | -1.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 328 | 9.7% | 10.5% | 257 | 7.8% | 10.7% | +71 | +1.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 700 | 20.7% | 19.9% | 696 | 21.1% | 20.0% | +4 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 465 | 13.7% | 12.9% | 468 | 14.2% | 13.4% | -3 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 378 | 11.2% | 11.5% | 377 | 11.4% | 11.5% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 404 | 11.9% | 12.2% | 328 | 9.9% | 10.4% | +76 | +2.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 48 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 46 | 1.4% | 3.4% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 3,389 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,299 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +90 | 0.0pp |